Tuesday, March 4, 2014

AM makes council tax comparisons

Figures published today (Tuesday) suggest an average council tax rise in England for 2014-15 of 0.6%, while, under Labour, Welsh councils are facing rises of between 3% and 5%.

Just over half of Welsh local authorities have so far confirmed their council tax increases for next year, with the lowest agreed rise of 3%. Swansea, Conwy and Ceredigion have confirmed rises of 5%.

Council tax in Wales has already increased by 148% since 1997.

Mark Isherwood AM, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said: “As Welsh councils continue to set inflation-busting council tax hikes, these figures show families in other parts of the UK are seeing very modest increases, a freeze or even cuts in their bills.

“Under Labour, council tax has risen by 148% and now hard-pressed households are set to see their bills rise again by double the rate of inflation.

“Council tax has been frozen for years in much of England and in Scotland, but Carwyn Jones’ Labour Government has refused to pass on a freeze to Welsh councils, forcing them to choose between cutting services or putting up council tax bills.

“Welsh Conservatives are a low tax party. We want people to be able to spend more of their own money, which is why we support a council tax freeze to put more money in people’s pockets.”